Letter to the editor: Abandoned puppy brings home issues of pet adoption

Last week someone chose to abandon a 6-month-old black lab pup in subzero temps near the James River Humane Society. Fortunately this little dog was discovered in time and is now safe and warm. The Humane Society will do its best to find him a loving home, as we do for all animals in our care. What if he had not been discovered in time? Although I realize that there are worse things than abandoning a puppy in frigid weather, I’m hard-pressed to come up with a very long list of such. Animal cruelty is a serious issue — legally, psychologically and morally. JRHS is a no-kill shelter and works tirelessly to care for as many cats and dogs as it can, however we have a very real limit on the number of animals we can house. If you are an animal lover such as I am, you understand this need. If you are not, know that disregard for animals does not bode well for a society or for one’s mental health.

This holiday season please think twice before bringing a new pet into your home. Can you properly care for it for its lifetime? Pets are not something you enjoy for awhile and then abandon. If you have a pet, please have it spayed or neutered to prevent bringing more unwanted animals into the world. We have too many already. Currently JRHS has a full house caring for 12 dogs and more than 20 cats. Volunteers are the heart and soul of the shelter who provide their time, effort, love and money, all of which are scarce commodities to come by. We depend on them and on contributions from members and the community at large to operate. If you have the desire, please consider a donation of time or money. We need both. If you have room in your life and home for a cat or dog, and can provide the necessary lifetime care, please visit our shelter. You will be saving a life and maybe part of your soul as well.

Jessie Fuher

Jamestown

(Fuher serves on the JRHS Board)

Tags: pets, dogs, puppies, abandonment